Before adding, "I don't feel like that's my thrust ... you know, some of the issues that divide us, and I'm here to let people know that God is for them and He's on their side."

And while that answer is less-than-stellar in our pro-gay book, BP News goes on to quote Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. as critically responding on his blog:

..."Christians in many parts of the world now risk arrest for declaring openly what the Bible clearly teaches. Mr. Osteen can be assured that his weak and evasive non-answer to this reporter's question will put him at very little risk for arrest. But then, pandering prophets are rarely at much of a risk from the public anyway.

There was no conviction in his answer; no clear declaration of biblical truth; no Gospel, no judgment, and no promise. Just a non-answer with a smile. Pathetic ... simply pathetic."

Geez, just imagine if Osteen had taken our outlook, which says "Gays are not God's best or worst, simply part of the vast spectrum of normalcy." What's worse than "pathetic" -- "Wretched?" "Pitiful?" The sort of inequality Mohler would like to see espoused?

We'll let you know if Osteen chooses to dignify Mohler's admonishment. Though should Joel respond, he best be judgmental, presumptuous, and damning, if he knows what's good for him.